KIRIGALPOTHTHA, THE SECOND HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN SRI LANKA, IS ONE OF THE BEST HIKING ROUTES IN THE ISLAND. THIS WEBSITE UPDATES ON EXCITING PLACES FOR HIKING & CAMPING AND ALSO SHARES INFORMATION OF SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS IN SRI LANKA.

04 September 2009

Kirinda Beach

This is a similar beach to the one I posted a few days back. The difference may be that this one is more popular and you may see lots of visitors here every day.

Kirinda, is situated South of Sri Lanka close to Yala National Park. This is a popular beach venue for thousands of devotees who go on pilgrimage to Katharagama – The place of worship, South of Sri Lanka where all Sri Lankans visit so religiously regardless of their religion or creed.

There is a small temple in this place on top of a medium size rock outcrop facing the sea. As per the historical chronicles, a princess was sacrificed to the sea to prevent a catastrophic sea wave (Tsunami?) that destroyed the land in the Western coast of Sri Lanka more than 2000 years ago. To some extra ordinary reasons the sea wave was immediately suppressed and this princess survived and landed back at a remote beach South of Sri Lanka. People believe Kirinda is that historical place, where this princess landed safely. Subsequently this brave princess became famous as Queen Vihara Maha Devi.

This beach is one of the most attractive beaches in the Southern coastal belt.

Hi Kirigalpotha, Thank you so much for that. I remember learning this in school as a child but had completely forgotten it...however, hearing it now, gives it a whole new meaning...! Especially knowing 'Kirinda' is where it supposedly happened... means I may never forget it again. How cool !

What a stunning rocky beach..! And this is indeed a historic site rich in history. Thanks for the info too.

It could have been a Tsunami that hit at that time, which was said to have occurred after the King executed an innocent Arhat Thero on a false charge.

And if I recall right, after the recent Tsunami devastation(2004), they showed on TV some ruins of a Buddhist temple, a good distance offshore, around Kirinda area I think. Now the temple sits beneath the ocean. They speculated it could have been the original temple dedicated for the princess perhaps.